Improvements in double action cylinder or circular locks, applicable to doors and similar objects

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to improvements in double action cylinder or circular locks, which are applicable to doors and similar structures. The invention utilizes a single unitary construction forming the whole complex of doorknobs, casing, support and principal body in a single assembly. The mechanism makes it possible to act as a latch and/or a sliding bolt. The outer doorknob is fitted on a brass bar of suitable proportions, which in turn in inserted in the principal body the bar protecting the lock against violent lateral shocks.

United States Patent [191 Garcia Jan. 14, 1975 IMPROVEMENTS IN DOUBLEACTION [56] References Cited CYLINDER OR CIRCULAR LOCKS, UNITED STATESPATENTS APPLICABLE TO DOORS AND SIMILAR 67,938 8/1867 Arndt et al.70/143 OBJECTS 1,882,643 10/1932 Junkers 70/451 [75] Inventor: FranciscoEstepa Garcia Madrid 2,793,520 5/1957 Candia 70/143 Spam PrimaryExaminerAlbert G. Craig, Jr. [73] Assignee: Patentes Fac, S.A., Madrid,Spain 22 Filed: Aug. 8, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT,

The present invention relates to improvements in doupp N04 386,701 bleaction cylinder or circular locks, which are applicable to doors andsimilar structures. The invention [30] Foreign Application Priority Dautilizes a single unitary construction forming the whole complex ofdoorknobs, casing, support and Aug. 8, 1972 Spain 405665 principal y ina Single assembly The mechanism makes it possible to act as a latchand/or a sliding bolt. [521 [LS Cl 70/143 23 2 3 8 2 The outer doorknobis fitted on a brass bar of suitable [51] Int Cl Eosb 55/00 proportions,which in turn in inserted in the principal 58] Fieid 292/337 body thebar protecting the lock against violent lateral shocks.

8 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAN 1 41975 859 827 SHEET 2 OF 2IMPROVEMENTS IN DOUBLE ACTION CYLINDER OR CIRCULAR LOCKS, APPLICABLE TODOORS AND SIMILAR OBJECTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The present invention is concerned with improvements in doubleaction cylinder or circular locks, applicable to doors and similarobjects.

2. Description of the Prior Art The characteristics, variants andadvantages of the invention will be appreciated from the descriptionthat follows, which refers to a form of embodiment with a doublepurpose, i.e., a latch and a dead bolt lock. In a preferred embodiment,the whole complex of doorknobs, casings, supports, principal bodies andmechanisms forms a single unitary structural assembly.

For installation of the invention in doors, it is unnecessary todismantle any of the component pieces, thus achieving great rapidity intheir installation. In prior art case of the locks already existing onthe market, they have to be separated into at least three parts in orderto instal them; this leads to a longer delay and a lesser perfection inthe union of the different pieces, and requires more labor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the characteristics presented by thepresent invention, possibly one of the principal advantages is that inthe very limited space that cylinder locks occupy there is assembled amechanism that can provide two functions with complete security: itfunctions as a thumb latch or slip bolt and as a sliding dead bolt.

Up to the present, in order to achieve security in doors, rim locks havebeen installed by making mortises in the wood, with the resultantweakening of the door and slowness of installation. Others, inaccordance with the international standards of drill holes in doors, ifit is desired to obtain security, have to instal two locks, one of whichfulfils the function of a latch and the other lock only having themission of a sliding bar or dead bolt; consequently, in order to operatethe two locks, two keys are required, one for each lock.

The present invention provides both a latch and dead bolt action in asingle unit requiring only a single key.

Another advantage offered by the invention is its low cost ofmanufacture. Since it is concerned with double action cylinder locks,the most outstanding feature is the following: in the door in which thelock is to be fitted, a frontal drill hole is made in order to introducethe body and doorknobs with their mechanisms completely assembled;another drill hole is made in the edge of the door, communicating withthe first drill hole in order to introduce the casing of the bolt. Bothparts are fixed with a single screw, and in order to make the assemblycompact both parts are joined by means of an antishock cotter; in thisway, complete security is achieved, preventing the lock from beingforced from the outside. The exterior doorknob is fitted on a brass barof suitable dimensions which, in turn, is introduced into the main body,which bar prevents violent lateral blows to the interior of theassembly.

All the springs of the double action cylinder locks operate bycompression.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In this description, reference is madeto the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of double action cylinder lock accordingto the invention with inner and outer doorknobs, the outer doorknobhaving a key slot.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view second embodiment of the inventionwithout an outer doorknob.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the doorknob assembly ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the internal workings of thedoorknob assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines VIVI of FIG.4.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines VII-VII ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the invention taken alongthe longitudinal axis of the bar casmg.

FIG. 9 shows the support sleeve for the outer doorknob.

FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the doorknob assembly ofthe embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the doorknob assembly ofthe embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines XII-XII ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the I lines XIII-XIIIof FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines XIV-XIV ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the bar casing.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective schematic view of the bar and its positionalrelationship with the front plate of the bar casing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a double actioncylinder lock with inner and outer doorknobs, the outer doorknob havinga key slot. The embodiment functions as both a latch and bolt.

FIG. 2 shows double action cylinder locks with an inner doorknob andouter key, a practical variation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the double action cylinder lock cut away at its doorknobs(36) and (37), the cut-away casing (35) showing the support for theinner doorknob (15), the principal body (17), the key-groove (27) forthe bolt casing (22), orifice (28) for the engaging of the connectingrod (19), and support. for the outer doorknob (30).

FIG. 4 shows in its sectioned form the inner doorknob support (15), thesliding bolt (4), the inner knob spring (6), the checkpiece (16) of thedoorknob (36), which checkpiece enters into play when the doorknob (36)is pulled outwards, the eccentric piece (8) fixed with the screw (10),which is designed so that when it is well tightened the eccentric pieceturns freely.

Likewise, in FIG. 4, details are shown of the principal body (17) onwhich the shank (31) acts, the sleeve (12) in which the key cylinder(11) is fitted, the key cylinder (11) the bushing 18, the key (14), thecombination (13), the cotter fixed to the key cylinder (11) whosemission is that of moving the sliding bolt (4) when the lock operateswith the key. The cutter,(5) is also the checkpiece for the latch whenthe two doorknobs function in combination with the sliding bolt in thelatch mode of operation.

In the three sections that are taken in FIG. 4, details are shown of thefollowing pieces: FIG. 5 (section through V-V of FIG. 4): sliding bolt(4), passageway (34) for the travel of the inner doorknob, spring (3) ofthe thumb latch, recess (33) where the spring (3) is situated. FIG. 6:(section through VIVI of FIG. 4): sliding bolt (4), the eccentric piece(8) with itsrecess for shank (31) rotatable by the outer doorknob (37),coupling bolt (7) which is joined to the connecting rod (19) which movesthe bar (2), the screw (10) for fixing the eccentric piece. FIG. 7(section through VII-VII of FIG. 4): sliding bolt (4), coupling bolt(7), cotter (5) fixed to the cylinder (11) by a pin, shank (31) of theouter doorknob support, slot (32) for the travel of the latter.

FIG. 8 shows the whole of the mechanism that moves the bar: the bar (2),the casing (22) for the bar the pivot pin (21) for connecting rod (19),the spring (20) for the connecting rod (19), the connecting rod (19),the coupling bolt (7) for the connecting rod (19), the sliding bolt (4)fixed to to the support of the inner doorknob, the eccentric piece (8),the screw (10) for fixing the latter.

FIG. 9 shows the support (30) of the outer doorknob (37) and the shank(31).

The assembly of all the elements, in the double action cylinder lock iseffected in the following manner: there is introduced under pressure thesleeve (12) into the outer doorknob support (30); in the recess betweenthe sleeve (12) and the doorknob (37) the shank (31) is also introducedunder pressure. This complex of doorknob, sleeve and shank turns freelybetween the head of the sleeve (12) and the principal body (17): thereis thus achieved the free rotation of the outer doorknob provided thatit is not locked with a key, as will be explained later.

FIG. 2 shows the double action cylinder lock, in an alternativeembodiment of the invention, showing an inner doorknob and outer key.FIGS. 10 and 11, and the sections shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 taken,along the axes XII-XII, XIII-XIII and XIVXIV of FIG. 7, represent thecomponents and situation of the pieces that form the double actioncylinder lock, in accordance with this embodiment. Since they are piecescommon to the double action cylinder lock detailed in FIG. 1, anddesignated by the same numbers, they are not repeated in this paragraph.The only element that varies is the eccentric piece (9) there beingeliminated in this embodiment the outer doorknob (37) and the shank(31).

By reference to FIG. 15, there may be appreciated thefunction of the bar(2) with its different components: case shield plate (23), bar case(22), drill hole (24), tointroduce the fixing screw for fixing the case,bar, and doorknob assembly, space (25), for housing the 'bar 92) guideand anti-shock cotter (26).

FIG. 16 shows the complex of the bar and the connecting rod. There canbe seen in this Figure the emergence of the bar (2) in a normal latchposition (position 1) where rotation of either inner or outer doorknob(or key) will retract bar (2) substantially into the bar case (22). FIG.16 also shows the extended position (position 2) of bar (2) where thebar (2) acts as a dead bolt.

Functioning of the double action cylinder lock (inner doorknob action).

Taking as an example the embodiment shown in FIG. 1: by means of turningthe doorknob (36) through a first sector the latch is concealed in thecase (22) that supports it in order to leave the door free; in the firstsector, sliding bolt (4) is free to rotate unrestricted by cotter (5);the bar (2) is urged outwardly to position 1 (FIG. 16) by the spring (3)which acts against the bolt (4) fixed to the support (15) of thedoorknob (36). On releasing the doorknob, the spring (3) returns thedoorknob (36) and bar (2) to their original position, (position 1) ofFIG. 16.

In order to effectuate dead bolt action of the bar, the doorknob (36) ispulled slightly outwards and turned through a second sector extendingbeyond the limits of the first sector and in a direction opposite to thedirection the doorknob (36) is turned to retract bar (2) within case(20). The operation of pulling out is effected so that the sliding bolt(4) will pass above (axially to the left in FIG. 4) the fixed cotter (5)when it is operated by the interior of the double action cylinder lock.In this poistion, the cotter (5) prevents movement of the sliding bolt(4) by rotation of the outer doorknob (37). On releasing the doorknob,the latter returns to its former position as a result of the action ofthe force of the return spring (6) which was tensed at the moment ofpulling out the doorknob; in order to draw back the bar, the sameoperation is carried out in inverse order.

Function of the double action cylinder lock, (outer doorknob action).

Provided thet the inner doorknob has not shot the bar along its maximumsecurity movement (position 2 of FIG. 16), the latch can be concealed inthe case (22) that supports it by effecting corresponding rotation ofthe doorknob (37 leaving the door free. This operation can be effectedsince the doorknob is linked by means of the shank (31) with theeccentric piece (8) which is joined to the connecting rod (19) of thebar.

If it is desired to shoot the bar from the outside, this can only bedone with the key. There is brought into play the key cylinder (11)which, with its cotter (5) moves the sliding bolt (4) which, in turn,moves the eccentric piece (8) to the position shown in FIG. 8. In thisway, the bar travels to its maximum extent, leaving the door where thelock is fixed in a situation of complete security.

Without using the key (14) to operate the outer doorknob, the latterremains blocked and cannot be moved. It is only the key (14) that canmove cotter (5) out of the path of sliding bolt (4) permitting the bar(2) to travel in order to leave the doorknob free; but once the key hasbeen turned, one can open the lock from the inside in the mannerexplained with respect to the functioning of the inner doorknob.

The functioning of the double action cylinder lock, as is shown in FIG.2, with its inner doorknob, is identical with that of the cylinder lockshown in FIG. 1, and from the outside, using the key, the same operationserves for shooting and withdrawing the bar and for withdrawing thelatch.

Assembly of the lock in the door.

This is done in the following manner: once the orifices have been madein the wood, there are introduced the casing, doorknob and the whole ofthe doorknob assembly, without dismantling any of the elements, untilthe assembly is centered in the door and an opening in the side ofcasing (35) is aligned with the orifice drilled in the door edge. Thebar is set to its closed position. The casing of the bar is thenintroduced through the orifice on the edge of the door until the cotter(26) of the casing is introduced into the key groove (27) of the body ofthe lock; thereafter, both parts are secured with the fixing screw.Finally, slight pressure is applied to the bar so that the connectingrod will begin to slide, compressing the spring against bar case (22)until connecting rod (19) engages the bolt (7); the connecting rod risesbecause constant pressure continues to be applied until finally, onreaching the maximum degree of introduction, and because the spring (20)is being tensed, the connecting rod definitively engages with thecoupling bolt (7); in this way, the bar, connecting rod and bolt arejoined. The lock is now fitted for functioning, The operation ofassembly is carried out in a maximum time of twenty seconds.

If for any reason it is necessary to remove the lock from the door, thisis done in the following manner: the bar is situated in the closedposition; the fixing screw is then withdrawn, and subsequently thecasing (22) of the bar is withdrawn until the cotter (26) emerges fromthe key groove (27); the lock (doorknob and casing) is then displacedtowards the interior of the room, until the connecting rod (19) is freedfrom the bolt (7), which is shorther than the width of the orifice (28);finally, on the connecting rod remaining free, there is effected thetotal extraction of the block formed by the casing of the bar, the barand the connecting rod. This operation of dismantling is carried out ina maximum time of fifteen seconds.

All that has been expounded constitutes a faithful reflection of theinvention; it should be considered in a broad sense, and never in alimitative form, the conditions in which the invention is embodied beingvariable with respect to the sizes, forms, proportions and materialsemployed, provided that there are not altered or modified thefundamental characteristics that typify it, the inventor reserving tohimself the right to protect the improvements that may be introducedinto the object of the invention, or that practice makes it advisable tocarry out.

What is claimed is:

1. In a double action cylinder lock of the type applicable to doors andsimilar structures, said lock having at least one doorknob, a doorknobactuator assembly, and a bar slideable in a casing, and wherein saiddoorknob actuator assembly is fitted for insertion into an opening inthe plane of the door or similar structure and said bar and bar casingare fitted for insertion into an orifice through the edge of the door orsimilar structure, said orifice meeting with and oriented normal to saidopening, the improvement in which:

said doorknob and doorknob actuator assembly form a unitary structure;

said doorknob is sized to fit through said opening without disassemblyfrom said unitary structure;

and said doorknob actuator assembly comprises means for fixedlyreceiving the inner end of said bar cas ing, and means for coupling saiddoorknob actuator assembly to said bar.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said means for receiving is athreaded aperture into which a fixing screw from said bar casing issecured.

3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein said means for receiving includesa slot and said bar casing includes a guide member projecting from theinner end of said bar casing, the guide serving to align said bar casingwith said doorknob actuator assembly and to prevent axial movement ofsaid doorknob actuator assembly.

4. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said bar includes a connectingrod with a hooked end, and said doorknob actuator assembly includes acoupling bolt rotatable with said doorknob and about which said hookedend is coupled, said bar casing including a spring for biasing saidconnecting rod in a direction to couple said hooked end about saidcoupling bolt.

5. The improvement of claim 8, wherein:

said doorknob actuator assembly includes means for drawing said bar intosaid casing;

said coupling bolt is fixed to a support plate rotatably mounted in saiddoorknob actuator assembly; and

said doorknob actuator assembly includes blocking means positionable toblock rotation of said plate and thereby selectively prevent and permitwithdrawal of said bar into said casing.

6. The improvement of claim 4, wherein said doorknob is an innerdoorknob, and including:

a projection extending from the inner doorknob toward the center of saiddoorknob actuator assembly and rotatable with said inner doorknob;

a key cylinder subassembly having a stop means fixed at the end thereofand in the path of said projection, said stop means limiting the extentof movement of said projection in one direction of movement at whichpoint said bar is in a latch position with said bar extending out ofsaid casing;

a resilient means urging said projection in said one direction, saidresilient means being compressed by said projection when said innerdoorknob is rotated to move said projection in a direction opposite saidone direction; and

means to move said projection beyond said stop means thereby moving saidbar to a dead bolt position beyond said first position, at which deadbolt position only the inner doorknob or key subassembly is effective tomove said projection back to the latch position.

7. The improvement of claim 6, wherein said means to move saidprojection comprises a shaft along which said inner doorknob isslidable; and

a compression spring urging said inner doorknob toward said doorknobactuator assembly;

whereby pulling on said inner doorknob permits the free end of saidprojection to pass by said stop means.

8. The improvement of claim 6, wherein said key subassembly is effectiveto move said projection to position said bar at said second position.

1. In a double action cylinder lock of the type applicable to doors andsimilar structures, said lock having at least one doorknob, a doorknobactuator assembly, and a bar slideable in a casing, and wherein saiddoorknob actuator assembly is fitted for insertion into an opening inthe plane of the door or similar structure and said bar and bar casingare fitted for insertion into an orifice through the edge of the door orsimilar structure, said orifice meeting with and oriented normal to saidopening, the improvement in which: said doorknob and doorknob actuatorassembly form a unitary structure; said doorknob is sized to fit throughsaid opening without disassembly from said unitary structure; and saiddoorknob actuator assembly comprises means for fixedly receiving theinner end of said bar casing, and means for coupling said doorknobactuator assembly to said bar.
 2. The improvement of claim 1, whereinsaid means for receiving is a threaded aperture into which a fixingscrew from said bar casing is secured.
 3. The improvement of claim 2,wherein said means for receiving includes a slot and said bar casingincludes a guide member projecting from the inner end of said barcasing, the guide serving to align said bar casing with said doorknobactuator assembly and to prevent axial movement of said doorknobactuator assembly.
 4. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said barincludes a connecting rod with a hooked end, and said doorknob actuatorassembly includes a coupling bolt rotatable with said doorknob and aboutwhich said hooked end is coupled, said bar casing including a spring forbiasing said connecting rod in a direction to couple said hooked endabout said coupling bolt.
 5. The improvement of claim 8, wherein: saiddoorknob actuator assembly includes means for drawing said bar into saidcasing; said coupling bolt is fixed to a support plate rotatably mountedin said doorknob actuator assembly; and said doorknob actuator assemblyincludes blocking means positionable to block rotation of said plate andthereby selectively prevent and permit withdrawal of said bar into saidcasing.
 6. The improvement of claim 4, wherein said doorknob is an innerdoorknob, and including: a projection extending from the inner doorknobtoward the center of said doorknob actuator assembly and rotatable withsaid inner doorknob; a key cylinder subassembly having a stop meansfixed at the end thereof and in the path of said projection, said stopmeans limiting the extent of movement of said projection in onedirection of movement at which point said bar is in a latch positionwith said bar extending out of said casing; a resilient means urgingsaid projection in said one direction, said resilient means beingcompressed by said projection when said inner doorknob is rotated tomove said projection in a direction opposite said one direction; andmeans to move said projection beyond said stop means thereby moving saidbar to a dead bolt position beyond said first position, at which deadbolt position only the inner doorknob or key sub-assembly is effectiveto move said projection back to the latch position.
 7. The improvementof claim 6, wherein said means to move said projection comprises a shaftalong which said inner doorknob is slidable; and a compression springurging said inner doorknob toward said doorknob actuator assembly;whereby pulling on said inner doorknob permits the free end of saidprojection to pass by said stop means.
 8. The Improvement of claim 6,wherein said key sub-assembly is effective to move said projection toposition said bar at said second position.